Short Summary

This experimental documentary will explore the craft of baking what it takes to produce a high quality loaf of bread.  It will also focus into the world of competitive baking and the process of what it takes to sustain an olympic mindset.  As a part of the 2012 U.S. Baking Team, local craftsman baker, Mike Zakowski [the bejkr] competed in the Coupe Du Monde De La Boulangerie (World Cup of Baking).  Now in an individual effort, Mike is headed to compete in the Masters de la Boulangerie representing USA in the bread category in Paris, France 2014.  The story will be told through the use of innovative film technique and the documentation of the burgeoning localized slow food movement in Northern California.  In contrast, it will focus on the fast paced competitive baking scene worldwide.

Filmmaker Colin Blackshear is leading a team of talented artists towards pushing this project to completion.  An alliance with production company 'Film Country', has opened the door to high end motion controlled time lapse and a modern presentation of the steps involved in the baking process. 

Bread is a staple that has accompanied the development of human society throughout the ages.  The evolution of bread through the industrial revolution has altered what bread was once was.  Now, in understanding the importance of the ingredients we use in our food, this film showcases the process of how we can go about changing the way we farm and source ingredients.

With your financial support, we can make this happen!

What We Need & What You Get

We are asking for $25,000 to pay travel expenses for the crew, additional editors and artists, studio costs and a handful of production days on location to ensure our concept is realized.   If we manage to obtain more funds than planned, we will add this to our distribution costs. 

We have a variety of incentives that will hopefully inspire you to sponsor us!  

For all who have sponsored this film already, we are still hard at work trying to make it happen!

The Impact

This film will showcase how artisans grow and produce high quality ingredients and food.  In showing this, we hope to inspire and raise awarness of the importance of eating well. 

Many documentaries related to this subject matter can be very depressing in showing the harsh realities of the world we live in.  Our plan is to show you a positive approach to some fundamental processes in producing great food.  We want it to be educational, inspirational and fun to watch!

Who We Are

Mike Zakowski - Owner, The Bejkr

Mike Zakowski is a graduate of the Culinary Arts program at Kendall College in Chicago, Illinois.  When he owned Kraftsmen Baking in Houston, Texas, he was named Best Baker in Houston and won the Best Bread award for his pain biologique during the bakery’s first year of operation. He was the Operations Manager at Artisan Bakers in Sonoma, California for 5 years and currently owns his own bakery, [the bejkr], and markets his creations at local farmers markets in Sonoma County, CA.. Mike is a member of Bread Bakers Guild Team USA and competed at the 2010 Louis Lesaffre Cup and the 2012 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in the Baguette & Specialty Breads category. He will compete as an individual representing USA in the Masters de la Boulangerie in the Bread category.

thebejkr.com

colinblackshear.com

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